{"id":226043,"date":"2025-04-02T16:12:48","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T20:12:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=226043"},"modified":"2025-04-02T16:12:48","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T20:12:48","slug":"chargers-key-free-agent-signing-set-to-play-pivotal-role-in-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/04\/02\/chargers-key-free-agent-signing-set-to-play-pivotal-role-in-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Chargers\u2019 Key Free Agent Signing Set to Play Pivotal Role in 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the Los Angeles Chargers’ defensive line being weak, fans expected free agency to be exciting and filled with large additions<\/a>. However, fans need to remember how great the low-key signings were for the Chargers just a season ago.<\/p>\n

Guys like Poona Ford<\/a>, Kristian Fulton, and Elijah Molden<\/a> were gambles who earned a pay raise after their first year with the Chargers. That naturally begs the question, who is a candidate to earn a pay raise this year?<\/p>\n

Under-the-Radar Chargers Free Agent Signee In Line For Major Impact on 2025 Season<\/h2>\n

On March 13, 2025, the Chargers signed Naquan Jones to a one-year, $1,810,000 contract<\/a> in hopes for him would bolster the defensive line and its depth. As an under-the-radar signee, expectations for Jones are currently low. However, if the Chargers can continue their trend of taking in reclamation projects and turning them into capable starters, Jones would be the first on the list as the most likely success story.<\/p>\n

Who Else Is In The Room?<\/h3>\n

On paper, a low-end contract like the one Jones signed is a sign that he will be placed as a rotational, depth option. Especially considering the Chargers’ defensive line room consists of<\/a>\u00a0Teair Tart, Naquan Jones, Dashawn Hand, Justin Eboigbe<\/a>, Otito Ogbonnia, Scott Matlock, and Christopher Hinton. Just by looking at the room, you can argue that they all have a chance to get significant playing time.<\/p>\n

As it currently stands, training camp and off-season practices will be crucial to see the pecking order between the group, but a rotation\/game-by-game basis of snaps will be the likely outcome. However, once given a chance, I believe Tart and Jones are the easy candidates to become the true starters for this team, even if there is still a strong rotation happening.<\/p>\n

Why Naquan Jones Will Be An Impact Starter On The Interior<\/h3>\n

Naquan Jones<\/a>, at this point in his career, has not been more than a rotational pass-rushing three technique that has given sparks to the two teams he’s been a part of: the Tennessee Titans and the Arizona Cardinals.<\/p>\n

Last season with the Arizona Cardinals, he was described by Cardinals Insider, Kyle Odegard<\/a> as “a very pleasant surprise for the Cardinals last season, arguably showing the most pass-rush juice of anyone on their defensive interior. A nice addition as a rotation piece.”<\/p>\n

With 24 career pressures, expecting Jones to have that much and more in a single season may be a stretch, but if there were to be any team to get this production out of him, it would be the Chargers. The new Chargers defensive line addition had a career-best PFF graded season with a 63.2 Defense grade, playing in the Cardinals scheme, which allowed him to hone in on being a pass rusher.<\/p>\n

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The Chargers are familiar with new NT Naquan Jones pic.twitter.com\/LGRwjW7cx6<\/a><\/p>\n

— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) March 13, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n